Today’s Date: May 28, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Council, Idaho

Today’s End Point: Riggins, Idaho

Today’s Miles: 61.33 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 798.79 Miles

I woke up early, proud that I can take down and pack up the bike in about an hour. It was cold out but it heated up quickly. I stopped at the Shell station and grabbed some muffins. There was a sign on the door at the gas station that said that the station was closed due to an employee’s wedding. I loved that, I can’t imagine that happening at home.

Today’s route took me due north to Riggins, Idaho. The town of New Meadows, Idaho sits about half way on the route. My information indicated that traffic was heavy between Council, Idaho and New Meadows, Idaho and that the shoulder was minimal; however, there was a rail-to-trail path that was parallel to the route. In the Chicago area we have the Prairie Path, a rail to trail that I had been riding for years so this sounded great.

The path went right through Council and it looked to be paved. After about a mile, however, unlike the smooth crushed limestone of the path at home, this trail turned into a rock strewn obstacle course. I decided to go back to the road and take my chances with the traffic.

The ride was divided into two parts-before New Meadows and after New Meadows.

Before New Meadows, it was all uphill for about 24 miles, with one tough section of about 2.2 miles. The rest was a gentle rise in the road.

Most of the route took me through the Payette National Forest. It was densely forested and the road ran along the Weiser River. Unlike most of the rides on this trip, the river was far below the roadway so I felt as if I was up in the trees. I loved it even if I was going uphill.

After the forest, there was a short descent down to New Meadows, Idaho. I stopped in a convenience mart and had some home made pizza at the picnic table set up outside. The pizza was popular, because as I sat there I observed many people coming out of the store with armfuls of pizza.

Once fully carbo-loaded, I hoped on my bike for the second half of the trip, the 35 mile road to Riggins, Idaho. For about the first 10 miles, the road was relatively flat and had wider shoulders (my stress levels dropped precipitously). The scenery was once again filled with cattle and mountain peaks. There was a pretty good tailwind, so I was making good time.

After the flat section, I descended for the next 24 miles, with the same tailwind, and I made great time. The ride was fantastic. For much of it I did not need to pedal, and with the wide shoulders it was a hell of a lot of fun.

The road ran along the Little Salmon River, and as of today, it is by far the prettiest river I have ridden along. The river has fast moving currents and the way the sun caught the rapids was amazing. As with most of the roads along the river, the road twisted and turned as I dropped down.

The River seems to be a popular white water rafting destination, as all along the road were advertisements for outfitters and guides. As I came around a corner I saw two rafts fighting the currents, but my Pulitzer winning photo journalism background failed me in getting the money shot (for those that may be baffled, I am lying about the Pulitzer).

I had reserved a night in a hotel. Lucky that I did since as I write this there are 40 mph winds outside in advance of a thunderstorm. Hopefully the wind dies down by the morning (it should) since at this point it would be a 40 mph headwind. I was having trouble walking into the wind tonight, let alone attempting to bike into it.

One of the benefits of a hotel is that you can put your bike safely away, change out of your cycling kit, and go out for real food. When you are solo, you have to keep an eye on your bike and belongings, it’s my house AND car after all. My taco friends from the other night recommended a local steakhouse called Seven Devils Saloon. I was told they had an amazing ribeye. I was not misinformed. The steak was outstanding, cooked in their homemade barbecue sauce. I realize I am stupidly hungry most of the time, but this was great.

I fought the wind to get to my hotel, and had time to kick back.